Administrator’s Statement on Diversity and Inclusion

We are all more similar than we are different. There is strength in our common values as Americans. 

There are also benefits in our differences. 

Our goal in pressing for diversity is not to point out and dwell on differences, but rather to recognize that 

differences fill out a team, make us stronger, and enable our products and services to better meet our 

customers’ expectations. 

Supporting diversity means that we recognize differences between people and acknowledge that these 

differences are a valued asset. Diversity refers to differences in terms of various attributes such as race, 

age, sex and more. I believe that every person can contribute to DTIC’s mission, differences in ability

increase the potential for productivity. DTIC seeks to provide an inclusive environment, where we reflect

the diversity of our society and let each employee know that their uniqueness/diversity is an asset. 

When I first took a job after college, I was the only one under 40 and the only one without military 

service. The leadership of my company were all retired military white males. At that time their 

experience and backgrounds were well suited to bidding and working Pentagon contracts. But when the 

company decided to bid on a commercial contract, we completely failed. We did not understand private 

sector needs, rules, regulations, and personalities. We did not understand the culture, the priorities, the 

risk tolerance. And as the Pentagon changed my company recognized the need to change and the benefit 

diversity provided. What I, at 22, brought was an eagerness to learn new programming languages, new 

operating systems, and new technologies, and to approach things in different ways. I imagine my 

learning disability helped to drive my interest in technology and its ability to help mitigate my spelling 

and reading challenges.

DTIC’s mission is currently under review, and we are at a technological inflection point. In order to 

transition to an organization that continues to provide value to the Department, we must ensure that we 

work efficiently and effectively. Fostering diversity provides us with the perspective of our user 

community and ensures that we all work better as a team. Teamwork enhances productivity, boosts 

morale, and inspires employees to do their best, with the understanding that employees will be judged 

based on their work - not on superficial identifiers.

Innovation is needed to move us forward. Innovation is an extension of creativity through the 

implementation of creative new ideas provided by a diverse, motivated workforce. When presented with 

a problem, each employee approaches the solution in a different manner based on their culture, education,

and skills, which leads to multiple solutions. DTIC needs a multi-faceted problem-solving attitude.

I want everyone to know that their unique perspectives are valued and appreciated, and that, as we look to 

AI and ML technologies, we must focus the agency on teamwork and common goals and objectives.

We support a diverse customer population and the diversity of skills and experiences within the agency 

will help us connect with current and potential customers, as we listen to their voices and acknowledge 

their information needs.

DTIC’s Diversity and Inclusion Policy Statement is attached with this message and located in the Human 

Resources tab, EEO Policy on SharePoint. The purpose of this policy is to remove any kind of bias 

within the organization. A more diverse workplace culture addresses unconscious bias on the basis of 

race, sex, religion, etc. I want to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard. Together we will move the 

agency forward.